Today’s blogging challenge is to develop a call-to-action strategy.
Do you know what your audience does after they visit one of your art posts?
Do they go to a different post or purchase something?
Does your reader know what they should be doing after they have finished reading your article?
If you are looking to convert your readers into buyers you will need to give them a call-to-action. You need to guide them to where you would like them to do next.
Call-to-Action Strategy that Generates Sales
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Before we go any further, I want you to think about what your goal is for your art blog.
Do you want to sell art online?
Are you selling your art at galleries or art fairs and want a place where you can keep your audience up to date with events?
Before you can develop a call-to-action strategy, you need to know what your end goal is.
Read this article if you struggle with writing goals, Sell Art Online Basics Setting Goals.
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What is a Call-to-Action
Many artists use their artist blog as an online journal. Blogs are an important part of any art marketing strategy if you sell art online.
In time your blog will drive more traffic to your site than you could have ever imagined.
Is generating traffic all that blogs are good for?
Traffic is good, but what your blog provides for your audience is what will pay the bills.
You need to do more than just tell your story. You want to guide your reader on a journey.
Once your audience feels more connected with you after reading your post, what do you want them to do?
Do you want just to say goodbye and have them go on their merry way?
Or would you like to have them read another post?
Maybe you would like them to sign up for your newsletter so you can stay in contact with them.
Would you like them to purchase your new art or prints of work you have already sold?
What would you like your reader to do now?
For you to reach your goals, you will need to guide your readers to the finish line.
The finish line could be to sign up for your newsletter, buy a product, contact you, share a post, or read another post.
It doesn’t matter what is at the finish line. What is important is you directing your audience to the finish line. You do this with a call-to-action.
What is a call-to-action?
A call-to-action is defined as “a piece of content intended to induce a viewer, reader, or listener to perform a specific act, typically taking the form of instruction or directive.”
Take full advantage of what your blog has to offer by creating a clear call-to-action.
Where to Include Call-to-Actions
- Bottom of each post
- Sidebar
- Connect on Social Media
- Share on Social Media
- Newsletter Signup
- Comment section
Once you have decided what actions you would like your audience to take, you will need to decide where you would like to place the call-to-action.
Just like with any art marketing plan, you will need to try different tactics to see what works best for your audience.
Here are some common places to consider:
Bottom of Each Post
One of the best places to have a call-to-action is at the end of every post. If the reader enjoys the content you have provided, you can direct them to other content they might be interested in, sign up for your newsletter or purchase a product.
You might want to consider providing different call-to-actions for different topics you are covering.
For example, if you are writing a post on how to clean original paintings, you might not get any results if you post a piece of art you are selling at the bottom of the page.
You might see better results if you direct them to a different post that relates to the same topic, or have them signup for your newsletter.
Maybe you have an eBook for sale that relates to the particular topic you are writing about.
To get the most out of your call-to-action, have them complement your posts.
Sidebar
Some people say sidebars are not as beneficial as they were in the past.
When people use their smartphones or mobile devices to search for content, the sidebar is not displayed. The sidebar on a blog or website is only viewable on PCs.
You might lose some action because more and more people are using mobile devices to go online. However, you will get some traction from the people visiting your site from their PC.
Most businesses and blogs include an opt-in email form on the sidebar above the fold. Beneath the opt-in email forms are advertisements and features posts.
Connect on Social Media
Social media is a powerful art marketing tool you will want to be taking advantage of if you are selling art online.
To learn more about the benefits of social media read 7 Social Media Marketing Benefits for Artists.
If you are trying to build your following on social media, you need to make it easy for your readers to join you on your social sites.
There are many plugins available for WordPress that will allow your audience to click on one button and start following you on social media.
If you want to have new people follow you on social media, you have to make it easy for them.
Share on Social Media
One way blog posts receive traffic is when people share articles they like on their social media sites.
People love to share things with their friends and family. Take advantage of this by making it easy for your readers to share content they like.
There are plenty of free WordPress plugins available for easy social share.
Newsletter Signup
If you are serious about selling your art, you will want to include a newsletter subscription on your artist blog and online art gallery.
Here are some detailed articles to help you start building your email list.
- Email List Building Basics
- Best Places to Add an Email Opt-in on Your WordPress Blog
- 4 Email Opt-in Plugins for WordPress
Comment Section
Some people might not think of a comment section as a call-to-action, but in my opinion, it is.
You are asking your audience to share their thoughts on your posts.
Having your audience engage with your posts and you responding to their comments will strengthen your relationship.
People do not comment on blog posts as much as they did in the past. This might have something to do with social media.
However, you might want to consider incorporating this into your art marketing strategy.
If you want to sell art online, you need to take advantage of everything that is available to you.
What are Call-to-Action Posts
A call-to-action post serves one purpose, to create action. Some people might refer a call-to-action post as a landing page.
Your objective for the post might be to have your audience:
- Sign up for your Newsletter
- Purchase a product
- Join you at a fair or art show
- Take your art class
- Read other posts
- Buy an affiliate link
- Watch a video
The objective you have in mind for your post should reflect your art marketing goals.
Are you starting to see that art marketing can be fun? Use your creative mind when you are developing a plan. Enjoy the entire process of selling your art.
Develop a Call-to-Action Post
Today you will have two action steps. Your first step will be to write a call-to-action post.
Decide if you would like to sell a product, promote an event or have them sign up for your newsletter. These are just a few examples. Decide on what action would best benefit your art marketing plan.
The post should only have one action you would like your audience to take. Be clear on what you would like them to do. Include detailed information and clearly state what value they will gain if they follow through with the action.
If you provide too many options, your reader will end up taking no action and leave the page.
Develop a Call-to-Action Strategy
Your second step will be to develop a call-to-action strategy for future posts.
Create a schedule for when you would like to create these posts and log it on your editorial calendar.
Review your art marketing plan and decide what type of posts will help you to achieve your goals.
Create a spreadsheet so you can track the progress of the posts. You will want to know what is working and what is not working. The data you collect will determine what type of call-to-action posts you will be creating in the future.
Conclusion:
Readers are passive and will need you to direct them to take action. Have a clear vision of your goals and start creating action steps you need your audience to take.
Have a clear vision of your goals and start creating action steps you need your audience to take.
Implement the strategies you have come up with and analyze the progress.
It will take some time for you to see what will work best for your audience.
You work hard on your SEO.
Start increasing the chance of landing a sale with a powerful call-to-action.
You might also be interested in:
- Blogging Tip That Works Learn your Writers Voice
- Sell Art Online Etsy Makes It Easy
- Art Marketing Basics Solve a Reader’s Problem
- Art Marketing Resource
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